The chairman of the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Eric Odo, says it would kick-start free healthcare services for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Mr Odo, also a medical doctor, said on Friday in Ogbede, the council headquarters, that a joint medical team to be set up by the council would administer free healthcare to the senior citizens.

He said, “We have concluded plans to employ doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists to move with an ambulance around the 20 wards in the council area to attend to men and women of 60 years and above.

“We have discussed with the State Primary Healthcare Management Board and the Commissioner for Health our desire to begin the process of taking care of the elderly in Igbo-Etiti council.

“The purpose of this programme is to boost the average life expectancy of our people from 54 years to 70 years and above.”

Mr Odo disclosed that the council was registering 1,000 widows, who would be placed on a monthly stipend.

“Once the process is done, the benefiting widows would come to the local government headquarters to receive their stipend every month,” he said.

Mr Odo thanked Governor Peter Mbah for his support.

“We are also starting a universal health coverage that ensures that whenever the vulnerable, physically challenged and elderly persons are sick, they can go to any hospital in Igbo-Etiti, present their card and receive free treatment,” he added.

The chairman noted that his administration was poised to make the Igbo-Etiti council area the most progressive council area in every facet of life.

“I assure you that before the end of this year, the economic activities we have stimulated in different fields are capable of generating resources that can allow us to unleash aggressive development in our council,” he said.

(NAN)